That's the point.
Why would someone want to look inward at themselves and see all of that stuff?
Did you see my post on meditation and the brain?
What we are really talking about here is the training of attention
Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
We are seeing the benefits in research studies more and more. And really, it is our own intentions and interpretations that determine for us what is spiritual, religious or just good mental hygiene. Anyone can reduce stress simply by paying attention to breath, repeating a word or whatever.
So my interest lately has been in objective meditation brain research.
It is cross cultural, interreligious and universal.
The brain and the mind are tools we can use however we wish, in whatever belief system we have.
And we can sharpen our focus, develop our span of attention.
What science is telling us is that the brain has two basic ways of processing.
One is Egocentric the other is Allocentric or Other centric.
We shift back and forth with our energy to each of these continually.
Egocentric is all that we normally think of as our thoughts, our narrative, our ruminations. It is also referred to as our
Default Mode Network. It is our monkey brain. Our rational active processes.
Allocentric is more getting in touch with what we experience, what we feel, what we perceive. And it is more objective, matter of fact, passive.
We sort of teeter totter our mental energy between these two networks of processing all day long. We live in cycles.
When we practice meditation, especially Open Awareness, mindfulness type of meditation we consciously practice Allocentric Processing. We work those neural pathways and reinforce them.
Nothing mystical, diabolical or dangerous. This is the way God created our brains. In the West we are heavily egocentric and out there doing things. In the East they are more Allocentric and passive. What we need is a better balance. If anyone is really interested there are several youtube presentations on the brain and mediation.
It might sound strange, how does focusing within become “Other centered”? Well, we become objective observers of our interior. We no longer identify with what we observe. We let it all come and go. We are present to it but not enmeshed in it. We do not identify with all the thoughts and emotions. We let them go. is that “emptying” ourselves? No, because we are still there keeping vigil. What we are surrendering is activity of the Default Mode Network. But “we” are still there, still alert.
That lowers our stress, lowers our anxiety. It takes us out of our ego dramas and relieves depression.
It relaxes our limbic system, our reptile brain. We become less reactive and we recover more quickly from emotional disturbance.
It is training the brain, training the mind. Is it dangerous? Is learning to play piano dangerous? Is training any skill dangerous?
Is it spiritual? Is it prayer? Well, it depends. Are you seeking God or are you just doing a mental exercise? How do you interpret the results? Did you feel closer to God? Or just closer to your own self? More relaxed and refreshed as a result of your own efforts?
